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Latest From Aviation's Aristocrat, Turned Renaissance Man

Many people know Erik Lindbergh from his charity work. Others
know him from the inspirational example he set, overcoming
crippling arthritis to become a pilot. Still others remember his
transatlantic flight in a Lancair (now Columbia) 300, or his
service to the X-Prize Foundation as a Trustee of the Ansari
X-Prize and Vice-President of the foundation.

Most everybody in aviation now can recognize his lanky frame and
boyish grin. You see him coming and you just have to start grinning
back, reflexively, no matter how bleak your mood might have been
five minutes ago.

It doesn't hurt, of course, that he's the grandson of THAT
Lindbergh (a Renaissance man in his own right who was not only a
great aviator, but a scientist and inventor of medical devices, and
a writer of staggering power). Erik's grandmother, Anne Morrow
Lindbergh, was an equally multitalented and able person. The blood
of greatness flows in his veins.

But Erik is accomplished in his own right. Not just as a pilot
and philanthropist, either: he's a sculptor whose reputation is
growing steadily.

Many of his works have an aerospace theme, like the fanciful
"Rustic Rocket" ships we've featured before, with their early-1930s
Art Deco style, or this eye-catching Columbia in bronze. Here's how
Lindbergh himself describes it:

"[M]y latest creation... A bronze Lancair Columbia. Shown in
blue marbled patina that makes it look as if it were carved out of
Marble or possibly clouds!"

"There are other Patinas available. If you are interested in
purchasing one we can talk about the options. One of the next casts
I do will be in raw bronze with sanding marks on it. For the 'just
carved out golden metal look!' I digress... but after all that is
my job! One of them anyway."

An original Lindbergh isn't cheap. At least, not on Aero-News
wages (and Jim, that last can of Alpo was expired!) But it's
reasonable, compared to other artists' fine art, much of which
doesn't interest us a bit, as it doesn't resemble an airplane at
all.

To be precise about costs, here's Erik again: "The price is
$2,235 plus shipping and handling. Dimensions: 13" long x 16"
wingspan x 9" high (on the stand). A 50% deposit is
required and it takes about 8 weeks to finish and ship."

Before signing off, he teased us with a hint: "Another two
months and I will have a different aircraft sculpture
available."

If you want a bronze Columbia for your own desk, table or curio
cabinet, you can contact Erik through his website (see the FMI link
below). He'll help you determine what options you want and send you
an invoice; your artwork will be cast and finished to order.

The website has many other sculptures (check out "Evolution of
Spirit"), displays some of Erik's unique form-follows-natural-wood
furniture, and offers up a few insights into the mind of a true
Renaissance man.